Monday, February 7, 2011

Rough day and Harsh Grading

     So today was a rough day for me. I overslept, the lesson I made in Word 2007 couldn't be opened on their word 2003 computers, I did a bunch of little things wrong, forgot to prepare for another lesson, and had uncomfortable exchanges with my co-operating teacher about grading and classroom management. I've said this before—I am worried I won't be able to meet my teachers standards of discipline. That is, I am totally authoritative, whilst she is authoritarian. I don't think I could be authoritarian if I tried. But now I feel some pressure from my teacher to be more enforcing of rules. Furthermore, I am worried at how this will effect my development as a teacher. For example, a student was yelled at today for running their hands along a stone wall whilst walking in line. I know, from college classes etc., that some kids are just tactile and touching and feeling things like walls helps calm their nerves and what not. How can I scold children for acting our normal and acceptable behavior? In addition, maybe I'm just used to the A-F grading system, but I can't stand the 1, 2, or 3 system. Sometimes known as check, check plus, and check minus, this is a totally incomplete grading system. There's no in between! Being forced to use it just makes me see how limited it is.

9 comments:

  1. Do you have internet in those computers? You better download the compatibility patch now, so you won't have that problem later. Could happen again to you or another teacher.

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  2. Hate when stuff like this happens in a new job. You just wanna crawl into a corner and hide. Hope things turn out better next time.

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  3. A lot of teachers at my school got laptops they take with them, so their files always work and such.
    Also, that seems pretty harsh, scolding at kids because they touch the walls...

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  4. That's a real shame, things will get better

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  5. Everybody has bad days. Don't sweat it! The 1,2,3 system is pretty shitty, though.

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  6. Wow. I can't believe they were yelling at kids for running their fingers along a wall. Seriously? 0_0 Also, don't sweat it. Everyone starts somewhere and you're getting your barrings. You need to develop confidence in yourself before taking on the position of authoritarian. Hopefully, you'll be a bit more of a wiser authoritarian and not scold kids for running their fingers along walls, though!

    Keep your chin up and keep at it!!!

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  7. everybody goes through these kind of things bro. i remember my few first days at GNB i was almost 7% less awesome than i am normally, and it really got me down. but do you know what i do when i get sad? i stop being sad and be awesome instead. true story

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  8. We all have those bad days, just make sure not to dwell on these problems and focus on whatever else you can do :)

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